I do have to admit that while I love writing characters who excel in sports, it is not a place where I do that well. Part of it is that I am not in the least graceful, so I am quite likely to trip over my own feet while attempting something sporty.

I guess that’s part of the fascination with athletes because they can do something that I can’t. Yes, it takes hard work and dedication, but it also takes the ability to perform the moves, and the more innate talent you have, the better off you’re going to be.

I’m not bitter about not being athletic – I love my job. Being a writer is who I am, down to the bone. But I wouldn’t mind a little more grace 😉

In Perfect 10, Chris has talent out the wazzoo, along with a determination to make it to the top of the gymnastic world. Brian is determined to help him get there. I hope you enjoy the exclusive excerpt below wherein Chris and Brian are just starting that journey together.

Sean Michael

smut fixes everything

Blurb:

Despite a life-threatening injury sustained in a vaulting accident, top gymnast Christopher Allen is determined to get back to his former perfect condition and compete again. Brian Rainings is a coach in need of someone to believe in, and he takes Chris on, admiring the spirit and determination that drives Chris to succeed. And admiring the sturdy, muscled body Chris maintains.

Admiration soon leads to something much hotter as they train together. From their scorching first kiss, Brian and Chris’s chemistry is obvious, but they have a long road ahead to get Chris back into shape. Months of hard work lead to success, with Chris gaining strength every day and finally finding the elusive sponsor he needs for financial support. Secrets, hidden dangers, and family troubles plague them, though, and they have to face the fact that Chris might never compete again and score that perfect ten.

First Edition published by Torquere Press, 2006.

Exclusive Excerpt:

“So if I remember correctly from my last year of competition, the rings were your best event.”

“Yeah. I took a silver at Nationals once.” Rings and parallel bars. He hated the fucking vault.

Of course, it hated him too.

“Have you been back on the vault yet?” It was almost as if Brian had read his mind.

“No. They won’t let me on it.” Not after the fall. Not after slipping and landing and hearing that dull crack and someone screaming and…. Chris forced himself to breathe, to ease up on the gas. “We’re almost there.”

“Hmm….” Brian was quiet a moment and then asked, “Do you want to get back on it?”

“Yes.” No. No, he didn’t, but he wanted to compete more than the fucking thing scared him.

“Good. You need to get back to it soon too. The longer you stay away from it, the harder it’s going to be.” Brian watched Chris as he pulled up at the gym parking lot and stopped the car. “I mean, all you have to do to start off with is sit on it. But the longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be.”

“Yeah. I know.” Chris killed the engine, grabbed his bag. Steve was standing at the door, the big man frowning and looking at his watch. Must have a date with Irena. “There’s Steven Jackson. He’ll let us in.”

“Cool.” Brian got out and followed him. “He looks familiar. He do coaching at the junior level?”

“He used to. He’s building the university team now. He’s a bit of a bear, but the kids like him. Steve? This is Brian. Brian, Steve.”

Brian held out his hand and they shook, Steve tilting his head.

“Brian Rainings? Where have you been hiding yourself the last few years?”

Brian grinned. “Coaching. I just couldn’t leave the life entirely when I retired.”

Steve laughed. “I hear that.” The man was shooting speculative looks between Chris and Brian, working out what they were doing here together.

“I’ll lock up, Steve.”

“Now, Chris….”

Oh, for Chrissake. “I promise not to break anything, and I promise not to get hurt.”

“He’s got someone spotting him, Steve. We’ll be fine. It was nice to see you again.” Brian nodded once at Steve and then went in. “Come on, Chris.”

Chris sort of blinked. Well. Okay.

Okay.

That was… unexpected.

“I’ll lock up,” Chris repeated.

Steve looked rather surprised, but he shrugged. “Okay. Make sure you do. And if you get hurt, it’s on your coach.” Checking his watch, Steve shouldered his bag. “I’ve got to be somewhere.”

“Tell Irena I said hi.”

His coach. The words didn’t hurt as bad as he’d thought they might.

Chris locked the door behind Steve and headed down the hall to get changed.

Brian was waiting in the locker room, looking at home on one of the benches. “That the kind of reception you’ve been getting since the injury?”

“Yeah.” Chris stripped off his shirt, pulled out an old singlet. It didn’t fit as well as it used to, but with the shorts, the bagginess didn’t show. Of course, Brian’d be able to see that his jeans weren’t skintight. Hell, they sort of… collapsed off him as he undid the fly.

“I can see why you’ve been frustrated, if they’re barely even letting you in the door.” Brian looked around and grinned wryly. “Man, I didn’t think it would be weird being here as a coach instead of a gymnast, but it is. It feels like I should be changing with you and going out there, chalking up, doing some routines….”

“I’d offer you something to wear, but I only brought one.” Chris got everything straightened and put where it belonged and all, then pulled his shorts on.

“Nah, I’m good. Besides, this is your show, right?”

About the Author

Best-selling author Sean Michael is a maple leaf–loving Canadian who spends hours hiding out in used book stores. With far more ideas than time, Sean keeps several documents open at all times. From romance to fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi, Sean is limited only by the need for sleep—and the periodic Beaver Tail.

Sean fantasizes about one day retiring on a secluded island populated entirely by horseshoe crabs after inventing a brain-to-computer dictation system. Until then, Sean will continue to write the old-fashioned way.